I cannot tell you the number of times that I have been asked this question, “How much does a new air conditioning system cost?” At first glance, this question seems pretty simple. I mean, when we go to a fast food place, the prices are displayed for everyone to see, right? (Click the link to book your Air Conditioner Installation) If I want a basic cheese burger, it is going to cost $0.99. I wish that air conditioning and heating was that simple. I will equate the purchase of a replacement air conditioning and heating system to that of buying a car. For example, when I was a salesman for Toyota of Charleston, I met a lot of people. People who were “just looking” for a new or used car. After putting them at ease (I am not a pushy sales person at all), I would ask some basic questions. For example, what type of car are you looking for?  Compact, Sedan, Coupe, Truck, SUV? How are you going to use this car? Once we narrowed down which type of vehicle, I moved on to the features that were important to the primary driver.

Leather, navigation, automatic, manual, blue tooth, heated seats, cooled seats, back up camera, safety features, etc. are all options. These are some of the most common features. As you know, each of these features/options change the price of the car. However, since most people are in their cars for at least 30 minutes a day, they want the features that are going to make them comfortable and safe. I know that I do. On top of that, I don’t want to buy a car that I am going to be miserable driving. So, I want to look at all of my options… no regrets! This analogy is the same for your air conditioner and heater. Here is a list of options that are available when discussing heating and air conditioning: 1. Size – 1.5 to 5 Tons are the most common sizes used in residential applications) 2. System type – split system or packaged unit 3. Efficiency – 13 – 20+ SEER rating 4. Type heat – heat pump, natural gas or propane furnace, dual fuel (gas and heat pump), or ac only

5. Thermostat – non-programmable, programmable, wi-fi capable 6. Indoor Air Quality – dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air purifiers 7. Duct work – does it need to be replaced. As you can see, there are a lot of options! There are many people that just want the basics, and there are others that want a bit more (ie, high efficiency). Some people have circumstances that might warrant specific options. how does a gas ac unit workAn example of this, is someone that has noticed a lot of dust in their homes or suffer from allergies. air conditioning unit is not workingAn air purifier might be a perfect solution.york ac package units All of that to say this… depending on these factors, a new unit and options can cost between $4,100 – $22,000.

We have found that most customers in the Charleston Market are paying around $4,500 – $6,900 (without duct work needing to be replaced). Most of us don’t have that kind of money just hanging out in our bank accounts, so Arctic Air has options for low monthly payments with approved credit. Payments for air conditioning and heating systems in the $4500 – $6900 range are between $47/mo – $87/mo. Arctic Air also has a 0% for 18 months option. In addition, if you have had some credit issues, I have options for you too. Things happen in life, and we have an opportunity to help you overcome some of those challenges, in regard to payment options. Every job is different.  When looking for a new air conditioning and heating system, it is wise to investigate all of the options that make sense for you and your family. I know that there is a lot of information to digest, and there is actually a lot more to go over. Our staff  can help walk you through the air conditioning and heating options that are available and right for you.

Give Arctic Air a call today to set up your FREE consultation. You are here » You Asked, We Are Answering: Your Home Efficiency QuestionsWe can all agree that replacing an air conditioner and a furnace at the same time is expensive.But replacing them both at the same time (even if the furnace is still working) will actually save you more money in the long run.Not only that, but it will also save you from the frustration of getting a new air conditioner that won’t work as efficiently as you’re expecting.In this article, we’ll explain why replacing your air conditioner and furnace at the same time (in order to install a “matched” system”) is both smart and cost effective.Why your furnace and air conditioner are like conjoined twinsIn a sense, your air conditioner and furnace are like conjoined twins– separate beings that are combined together and share the same “system.”You see, there is a certain kind of conjoined twins that share a liver and intestines. So separating them can be tricky and cause problems.

The same could be said with separating your air conditioner from your furnace because they are “conjoined at the hip” since they share the same air handler/blower.Let’s expand on the “conjoined” aspect for a moment by looking at your air conditioner as a whole.A split air conditioner is composed of two main units:Because your indoor unit and furnace share the same air handler/blower, you can’t separate them. You must replace the furnace to also replace the inside air conditioner unit.So if you say you want to replace your air conditioner but not the furnace, that means you can only replace the outdoor unit while leaving the indoor unit in place.Doing this creates some costly problems.Problems with a mismatched systemDecreased lifespan– According to the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), “When improperly matched, the efficiency and longevity of these systems are significantly compromised.”Lower efficiency– Imagine putting a donkey and a horse on the same yoke to pull a wagon.

The horse wants to speed ahead while the donkey slowly lags behind, causing the cart to slow down. That’s what it’s like to have a new energy efficient outdoor unit but still have an old inefficient inside unit. Even if your new outdoor unit is 18 SEER, the old unit (probably an 8-10 SEER unit) causes the system to lag behind, keeping your energy bills just as high as they were before.Premature breakdowns– Mismatch units create undue stress on your air conditioner, resulting in an unnecessary, premature breakdown.Possibility of no warranty– Many manufacturers know the problems associated with mismatched systems, so they often won’t offer a warranty for a condenser coil (outside unit) only replacement.Minimize installation costs You also need to think about how much you’ll pay on installation, which strongly affects how much you pay for a new system.So replacing the outside unit, waiting a few years, and then having another contractor come out to install the furnace and inside air conditioner unit can be pricy.